Woman killed by alligator case could go to court

SAVANNAH, GA (WTOC) - A Georgia Court of Appeals has ruled the case of a woman allegedly killed by an alligator could go to trial.

In October of 2007, Gwyneth Williams mangled body was found in a lagoon in The Landings on Skidaway Island.

Parts of her body were also found inside an alligator in the lagoon.

The medical examiner at the time determined Williams bled to death and that she was killed by the alligator.

"I can't think of any worse way to expire than bleeding to death while a large animal is eating you," family attorney David Conner said.

He says the family hasn't had closure since the 81 year old died.

"The medical examiner determined this lady died because of massive blood loss and that occured because this animal removed her lower extremities first and then when she tried to fight he removed her hands," Conner said.

Conner is representing the family in a lawsuit against The Landings.

The family blames the gated community for not controlling the large alligators that live there.

"Why would you purposely put people in harms way by building a community in a place where there is danger?" Conner said.

Conner says before The Landings was developed, the entire area on Skidaway Island was pine forest. He says the developer created almost all of the 150 lagoons and he says they created an alligator highway.

"Those lagoons are man-made. They are not natural. The way the lagoons are interconnected is not natural," Conner said.

But alligator trapper Jack Douglas disagrees. He is an expert witness in The Landings case.

Douglas says because The Landings is surrounded by rivers, there are always going to be a few big gators there.

"They are doing everything they can just short of putting fences around all the lagoons," Douglas said.

If there are no further delays, it will now be up to a jury to decide. The case is scheduled to go to court in July.

Bullard is ready to compete for a playoff spot in the District of Doom.

Once again, we are giving you two Red Zone rundowns for the price of one. Just like in Lindale, the Bullard players are learning a new head coach during fall camp. East Texas native Scott Callaway is now in charge of the Panthers program.

Once again, we are giving you two Red Zone rundowns for the price of one. Just like in Lindale, the Bullard players are learning a new head coach during fall camp. East Texas native Scott Callaway is now in charge of the Panthers program.

With the smallest enrollment in District 17-5A, and really across the entire classification, Lindale could use that as an excuse for a sub-par season. But under defensive coordinator, turned head coach Chris Cochran, that won't be the case.

With the smallest enrollment in District 17-5A, and really across the entire classification, Lindale could use that as an excuse for a sub-par season. But under defensive coordinator, turned head coach Chris Cochran, that won't be the case.

"A lot of people thought tonight was about peaceful protesters countering something," event speaker DG Montalvo said. "But it wasn't. It was about getting together and encouraging each other without ideology."

"A lot of people thought tonight was about peaceful protesters countering something," event speaker DG Montalvo said. "But it wasn't. It was about getting together and encouraging each other without ideology."